James Franco on rumors that he's gay: 'I wish I was'

No matter how many times James Franco has denied reports that he's a closeted gay man -- fueled in part by his choice of roles -- the rumors and jokes still persist.

Comedy Central's September 2 "Roast of James Franco" included so many gay jokes that Buzzfeed felt compelled to count them (26 in total).

But Franco told The Daily Beast in a recent interview that he wasn't bothered by all the references to his sexuality.

“Great! Bring on the gay jokes!” because these aren’t insults at all," the 35-year-old said. "I don’t even care if people think I’m gay, so it was like, “Awesome!” I mean, I wish I was … I wish I was gay."

When asked why, Franco said that he's "fine" with his public image.

I mean … we don’t have to go into it. But as far as that larger phenomenon that you’re talking about that happens to other actors, part of it is that movies are a place where people can project things and identify with characters, and it’s the same thing with actors outside of their roles—and it’s been that way since Hollywood was around. That’s why there’s a lot of conjecture. That’s been one of my things, too. My relationship with my public image over the past four or five years has just become weirder and weirder, because I look at it and it’s me, and it’s not me, so if other people want to use that for their own purposes or needs, I’m fine with it.

Franco directed and starred in his latest film, "Child of God," based on a novel by Cormac McCarthy.